Consumo de estimulantes cerebrais por estudantes de farmácia da Universidade Federal da Paraíba: prevalência, motivação e efeitos percebidos

Abstract

This project is a descriptive, cross-sectional field study with a quantitative approach that investigated the use of central nervous system stimulating substances by undergraduate pharmacy students checking the most commonly used substances, the reasons for use and the sociodemographic profile of users. The research was carried out at the Health Sciences Center located at the Federal University of Paraíba, in the municipality of João Pessoa, State of Paraíba. The population was made up of Pharmacy students from the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB). The sample consisted of 60 students distributed among the first, fifth and tenth pharmacy students in the semester of 2018.1. The instrument chosen for data collection was a standardized and self-filled questionnaire, with demographic, behavioral and stimulant questions. The following substances were used by students: caffeine, methylphenidate (Ritalin®), energy drinks and guarana powder. Among the participants interviewed, 62% (n = 37) were females and 38% (n = 23) males. In relation to the age of the students, 42% (n = 25) presented age between 18 and 21 years, 50% (n = 30) between 22 and 25 years old and 8.3% (n = 5) older than 26 years. 58% (n = 35) of the interviewed students, live with family members, 32% (n = 19) share a house with friends and only 10% (n = 6) live alone. Regarding lifestyle, 52% (n = 31) of the interviewees reported regular physical activity, and 83% (n = 50) classified their sleep quality as good or regular. And, of these students, only 12% (n = 7) use sleeping medication. When asked if they were disallowed in a subject, 56.6% (n = 22) stated that they had already failed at least 1 discipline. The prevalence of stimulant use was 73% (n = 44) and the most consumed substances were caffeine 68% (n = 41), energy drinks 30% (n = 18), ritalin 25% (n = 15) and Guarana powder 22% (n = 13). The main reasons given for the consumption of psychostimulants were to increase the concentration at the time of tests, 38% (n = 23), increase in class output 13% (n = 8), difficulty concentrating at the time of study 33% 20) and use by medical indication 1.7% (n = 1). In relation to perceived positive effects, 67.7% (n = 40) reported perceived sleep reduction, 33.3% (n = 20) reduced fatigue and irritability, 30% (n = 18) improved concentration, 20% (n = 12) improvement in thinking, 10% (n = 6) improvement in well-being and memory, and 5% (n = 3) in stress reduction. The negative effects were 40% (n = 40) anxiety and 31.6% (n = 19) tachycardia. More than half of the students reported consuming psychostimulants to improve cognitive performance. The use of these substances was considered effective by the majority of users, which may make it difficult to combat this consumption.